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Beyond the healthy migrant effect: new thinking in ethnic minority health research in Aotearoa New Zealand
No full textAssociations between specific and cumulative adverse childhood experiences, childhood obesity, and obesogenic behaviours
No full textBackground: Individuals impacted by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are at greater risk of developing obesity, however, few studies have prospectively measured ACEs and obesity during childhood. Associations with the adoption of obesogenic behaviours during childhood, which directly contribute to obesity are also understudied.Objective: To examine associations between individual and cumulative ACEs, obesity, and obesogenic behaviours during childhood.Methods: Data came from Growing Up in New Zealand. The study sample was restricted to those who provided obesity data at age 8 and one child per mother, resulting in an analytic sample of 4895 children. A newly developed ACEs index consisted of nine individual ACEs and cumulative ACEs scores (0, 1, 2, 3, 4+ ACEs), two obesity measures (BMI and waist circumference/height ratio), and eight obesogenic behaviours including unhealthy dietary behaviours, inadequate sleep duration, excessive screen time, and physical inactivity were included in the analyses.Results: ACEs were prevalent among this cohort of NZ children. By age eight, 87.1% of children experienced at least one ACE and 16% experienced at least 4 ACEs. Six individuals assessed ACEs showed significant associations with childhood obesity (AORs ranging from 1.22 to 1.44). A significant dose-response effect was observed where the experience of a higher number of ACEs was associated with greater risk for obesity (AORs increased from 1.78 for one ACE to 2.84 for 4+ ACEs). Further, a significant dose-response relationship was found between experiencing two or more ACEs and higher odds of adopting obesogenic behaviours (AORs ranging from 1.29 for physical inactivity to 3.16 for no regular breakfast consumption).Conclusions: ACEs exposure contributes to population-level burden of childhood obesity. Our findings highlight the importance of a holistic understanding of the determinants of obesity, reinforcing calls for ACEs prevention and necessitating incorporation of ACEs-informed services into obesity reduction initiatives
Investigation of novel topical therapeutics for chronic rhinosinusitis
No full textChronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common condition that arises from interactions
between anatomical factors, perturbations of the local microbial community including
the formation of bacterial biofilms, and dysfunction of the host immune
responses. First-line treatments are saline nasal irrigation and topical corticosteroids,
with the addition of courses of systemic antibiotics and corticosteroids
when indicated. If these therapies do not yield a satisfactory improvement in
symptoms, functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) may be performed, with
subsequent postoperative debridement using topical anaesthesia, and ongoing
irrigation and topical corticosteroids. Despite appropriate therapy, CRS may be
recalcitrant and further surgery and/or systemic treatment may be necessary.
The sinonasal cavity is well suited to topical treatments delivered by a nasal
spray or added to an irrigation solution, especially following FESS. All currently
available topical therapies have either limited efficacy or significant side effects.
The studies described in this thesis sought to identify potential new topical treatments
for use in CRS: antimicrobial agents with activity against biofilms of
the CRS-relevant pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
including Maxitrol, polymyxin B, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, Zoono
GermFree24 and Nasodine; tofacitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor, for management of the dysregulated immune response; and tetracaine with oxymetazoline to
facilitate postoperative debridement and optimise surgical outcomes.
All antimicrobials tested had varying degrees of efficacy against biofilms of S.
aureus and P. aeruginosa, with Nasodine being the most likely to offer the best
balance between antibiofilm efficacy and sinonasal toxicity. Tofacitinib suppresses
the transcription of target genes of cytokine receptor activation relevant to CRS.
Tetracaine 2% with oxymetazoline 0.05% produced more rapidly acting and potent
anaesthesia than the current standard Co-phenylcaine. The findings of this thesis
may encourage and inform future clinical trials to improve CRS care
‘I can sleep at night’: examining the intersection of housing stability, addiction, and recovery among mothers who use drugs
No full textResearch on the housing crisis in Aotearoa New Zealand largely overlooks mothers who have substance use disorders, and their experiences of housing. In a study on mothers’ experiences of a residential parenting and drug rehabilitation programme, housing was consistently discussed as crucial to recovery in terms of the ability of wāhine (women) to envision a secure future. Individual and group interviews were conducted during six one-day wānanga (place of learning or gathering for discussion), where participants engaged in traditional Māori art while sharing experiences leading up to and in treatment. Dialogical Narrative Analysis was used to examine how societal and cultural narratives influenced their stories. Arthur Frank’s ‘wounded storyteller’ narrative typologies—chaos, restitution, and quest—provided a foundation to analyse stories of struggle and recovery. Findings revealed that housing instability before entering treatment exacerbated substance use, and unsafe housing conditions increased the risk of relapse once a recovery journey was initiated. Housing and child protection services were viewed as punitive and neglectful. Findings evidence the complex relationship between motherhood, substance use and housing insecurity, which should be used to inform policies and practises aimed at increasing housing and supporting well-being for this demographic
Flexural behavior of full-scale high-strength recycled aggregate concrete slabs reinforced with steel trusses under one-way repeated loading
No full textAssessing Inundation Risk on Micronesian Atolls Using UAV-SfM Photogrammetry
No full textLow-lying coral reef islands are increasingly threatened by inundation from sea-level rise (SLR) and the impacts of waves and storms. Accurate topographic data are essential for assessing exposure, yet many Pacific atolls remain unmapped or rely on coarse global products that overlook fine-scale morphological controls on flooding. This study used Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) based Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry, refined through accuracy testing, to produce high-resolution Digital Surface Models (DSMs). This research focused on three sites in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM): Mokil atoll, Pingelap atoll, and Nahkapw Island located off of Pohnpei. DSMs were referenced to local tidal datums using Real-Time Kinematic Global Positioning System (RTK-GPS) control points, producing accurate elevation data suitable for site-specific inundation analysis. The models revealed substantial topographic variability, with estimated overtopping thresholds of 1.55 m above mean sea level (MSL) for Nahkapw Island, where some sections lie below 0.90 m. The thresholds were 1.85 m for the Pingelap site and 2.00 m for the Mokil site. Key ridge features were identified, including a double ridge on Nahkapw at 1.61 m and 1.88 m, a lagoon-facing ridge at Mokil reaching 2.03 m, and a natural ridge at Pingelap that was anthropically interrupted, with an elevation of 1.4 m. Nahkapw’s land area was mainly below 1.6 m above MSL, whereas Mokil and Pingelap retained more land above 2 m. Mokil’s interior was flat and centred around the school grounds, while Pingelap’s highest ground was the cambered runway crest. These morphological features directly influence overtopping potential and inundation pathways. Threshold-based inundation modelling was conducted under three Total Water Level (TWL) scenarios incorporating SLR, spring tide, and wave setup, using Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) 1-1.9, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5 projections. By 2100 under SSP2-4.5, projected inundation reached 55 % of the Mokil school site, 82 % of the Pingelap runway site, and 98 % of Nahkapw Island. These results highlight the severe exposure of all sites to future inundation, with significant implications for critical infrastructure and freshwater resources. UAV-SfM photogrammetry offers an effective way to map fine-scale topography that influences inundation in reef island environments lacking Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR). Despite limitations such as canopy occlusion and static modelling, combining high-resolution elevation data with scenario-based modelling provides site-specific insights into how island morphology shapes inundation severity and extent
Acculturation of Korean New Zealander Youth Re-Ethnicization of the Newer Generation
No full textThis open access book explores the acculturation, identity development, and cultural reconnection of newer-generation (1.5- and second-generation) Korean New Zealander youth who grew up in New Zealand after the 1990s. Based on in-depth interviews, it shows how many of them initially sought to assimilate into the dominant culture but later experienced a process of re-ethnicization, rediscovering their Korean heritage during adolescence and early adulthood. Chapters explore key themes such as cultural adaptation, ethnic identity, racism, co-ethnic friendships, and the role of digital media and the Korean Wave in fostering re-ethnicization. This book also situates these youth experiences within the broader contexts of New Zealand’s multicultural policies, its bicultural foundation, multicultural frameworks and the global dynamics of diaspora and migration. Drawing on theories of segmented assimilation, transnationalism, and ethnic belonging, this book offers new insights into how young migrants navigate dual identities and negotiate belonging in an increasingly diverse and complex society for scholars and students in migration studies, sociology, diaspora studies, Asian studies and cultural studies
Role of Community Spaces in Favelas to support the Intangible Heritage of Dance Practices
No full textThis thesis explores the role of spaces in supporting the intangible heritage of dance practices in favelas. Three key dances form the focus of the study: samba, capoeira, and passinho. Such dances are of profound importance to favela culture, and they are all recognised as intangible cultural heritage by different organisations, such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional, IPHAN), and the State of Rio de Janeiro. As in many cultures, these practices require spaces to thrive, and building a community space can support these activities to keep going and pass through generations.
The research investigates the question: how can community spaces in favelas support the intangible heritage of dance practices? To answer this question, the thesis examines the historical and cultural significance of the dances, analyses relevant case studies and conservation theory, and produces a design response. The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Charter and Guidance on Sites with Intangible Cultural Heritage, approved in 2024, aligns with the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, crediting the importance of intangible heritage as a key aspect of the human experience. The design focuses on creating community spaces in Vidigal, an informal settlement in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, that supports such dance practices. The main site, which is used mostly but not only for dance lessons and rehearsals, connects with two more public spaces, creating a unified collective focal point within the neighbourhood. The proposed design interventions are multipurpose spaces, acting as a community hub for dance performances, while also reinforcing cultural identity and other public activities
Protective factors for physical activity in Pacific adolescents: A quantitative analysis from the Youth19 Survey
No full textIntroduction: Physical activity is essential for health in adolescence, however less than half of adolescents in Aotearoa New Zealand are classified as being sufficiently active for health benefits. Pacific adolescents are less likely to be classified as sufficiently active compared to their peers from other ethnic groups. This study explored the association between physical activity in Pacific adolescents and potential protective factors. Methods: This quantitative study uses data from the Youth19 Rangatahi Smart survey. A bivariable logistic regression analysis assessed the relationship between seventeen independent variables and physical activity participation in the past week. Thereafter, a multiple variable stepwise logistic regression analysed the variables significantly associated with physical activity. Results: In the bivariable logistic regression analysis, the significant associations were gender, well-being score, belonging to a cultural group, belonging to a group outside of school, spiritual connectedness, school decile (4 & 8), and the belief that exercise is important. In the multivariable stepwise logistic regression analysis, two factors remained significant: belief that exercise is important (odds ratio = 4.896, 95% CI=3.268, 7.337, p <.001) and belonging to a group outside of school (odds ratio = 2.048, 95% CI = 1.397, 3.003, p <.001). Conclusion: Overall, this study offers insights into the protective factors associated with physical activity in Pacific adolescents. Future qualitative research is needed to gain a more in-depth understanding of these protective factors within Pacific communities to help improve their health and well-being
Inhalable microplastics and plastic additives in the indoor air of chemical laboratories
No full textBackgroundWhile recognition of airborne microplastics is increasing, there are still limited data on the microplastics within the aerosol size fractions most relevant to human inhalation (PM10 and PM2.5). Additionally, there are concerns that many of the additives used in plastic formulations have endocrine-disrupting properties, which could increase the hazards associated with microplastic exposure.ObjectiveTo better understand the toxicological risks associated with airborne microplastics, more data are urgently needed on the mass concentrations of both microplastics and the related chemical additives in the air we breathe. Inhalation exposure to plastic-related species is currently uncertain in chemical laboratory workplaces.MethodsUsing a Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (Pyr-GC/MS) based method, the airborne mass concentrations of both polymeric material and small molecule plastic additives were determined in inhalable air from two indoor locations. This method represents a fast, direct technique that can be used to better standardize airborne microplastic measurements.ResultsThe PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations of seven different polymers were determined, with average plastic concentrations of 0.51 μg m-3 for the PM2.5 samples and 1.14 µg m-3 for the PM10 samples. Polycarbonate, polyvinylchloride, and polyethylene had the highest airborne concentrations in the inhalable fraction of air. Simultaneously, the airborne concentrations of plastic additives were determined, with phthalate-based plasticizers having an average concentration of 334 ng m-3 across all air samples.ImpactBoth microplastics and their chemical additives were quantified within the inhalable fraction of indoor air (PM10), using a straight forward mass spectrometry technique with minimal sample preparation. This information furthers knowledge on the hazards associated with indoor air exposure, and it presents a useful methodology for the mass quantification of plastic-related airborne pollutants